This post was refreshing to read and loaded with great ideas. We've incorporated fun things for clean up times in the past, such as wearing skates around the house to put stuff away and listening to fun music, but we've currently been in a long stretch of too much focus and not enough fun. I have also noticed that as my kids get older sometimes just doing things together makes things fun and enjoyable. When the littles are in bed, my older kids love being able to talk my ear off as they do dishes. If it's a really big mess I'll read to them while they clean to take away the overwhelming factor...just means I read longer! Or if there's not much to clean they hurry up so we can cozy up on the couch to read instead. My littles also appreciate time spent doing chores with me, although not every time or when I might like. Littles are often eager to help, and while the job may take longer and not turn out perfectly, it affords the opportunity to teach them the skills, talk with them, and keep your eye on them if they are in a troublemaking stage. My 2.5 yr old loves standing on a stool by the sink and rinsing the bubbles off of the dishes that I get all soapy.
This is all so good, Laura, thank you. Love the idea of reading to them while they work! Much more personalized than even audiobooks, and YOU get a break!
I often suggest to my kids that they pretend to be Snow White (and turn on "Whistle While Your Work" to make it even more cheerful). Pretend play is powerful, which you've outlined so clearly here -- these are great ideas!
This post was refreshing to read and loaded with great ideas. We've incorporated fun things for clean up times in the past, such as wearing skates around the house to put stuff away and listening to fun music, but we've currently been in a long stretch of too much focus and not enough fun. I have also noticed that as my kids get older sometimes just doing things together makes things fun and enjoyable. When the littles are in bed, my older kids love being able to talk my ear off as they do dishes. If it's a really big mess I'll read to them while they clean to take away the overwhelming factor...just means I read longer! Or if there's not much to clean they hurry up so we can cozy up on the couch to read instead. My littles also appreciate time spent doing chores with me, although not every time or when I might like. Littles are often eager to help, and while the job may take longer and not turn out perfectly, it affords the opportunity to teach them the skills, talk with them, and keep your eye on them if they are in a troublemaking stage. My 2.5 yr old loves standing on a stool by the sink and rinsing the bubbles off of the dishes that I get all soapy.
This is all so good, Laura, thank you. Love the idea of reading to them while they work! Much more personalized than even audiobooks, and YOU get a break!
I often suggest to my kids that they pretend to be Snow White (and turn on "Whistle While Your Work" to make it even more cheerful). Pretend play is powerful, which you've outlined so clearly here -- these are great ideas!